How to Care for a Tea Olive Tree

The tea olive tree is a popular addition to gardens in many areas of Florida. Depending on the variety, the tree can reach a height of 6 to 20 feet and produces small fragrant blooms. It has dark green, glossy leaves and dense foliage that makes it a perfect backdrop for smaller plants. It also works well as a hedge when properly pruned. The tea olive tree requires very little care once it is established.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Water
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Choose a location for the tree that has loose fertile soil that drains easily. The location will need to have good sun or only partial shade.

2. Dig a hole that is deep enough to hold the entire root ball without burying any of the trunk. It will also need to be wide enough to hold the root ball with 6 inches of space on all sides to allow for spreading.

3. Place the tree in the hole and cover the roots with soil. Do not pat the soil down as this will remove all air pockets, which can lead to root rot.

4. Water the soil around the tree deeply enough to soak to the bottom of the root system. Water regularly to establish the tree during the first year.

5. Water the tree regularly during dry seasons. You can suspend watering during times of good rainfall. Do not allow the soil to dry out, especially during the first year as this can inhibit growth.

6. Feed the tree once per year with a slow release, nitrogen rich formula. Any complete formula that is labeled for use with shrubs will do nicely.

Tips & Warnings

• The tea olive plant does not require pruning on a regular basis. However, some gardeners prefer to prune new growth to encourage more branches to grow.

References

• University of Florida: Tea Olive